[Hiscedes]

Hello everyone! My grandparents like my R129 so much despite all the things wrong with it they are strongly considering their own. They are looking at a later model SL500 ideally but SL320 or SL600 they would consider. Looking for well maintained great condition, no issues and ideally garage kept most of all. An AMG Sport would be nice but Grey Silver or Tan interior would be ideal. No modifications except for an aftermarket radio would be best. Budget is up to $20,000 but maybe higher for a special edition model. Higher miles aren’t a problem. Have y’all seen any listings that meet these criteria somewhat or are selling your own R129s?

Edit: Mods, If this is the wrong place to ask this please move it or delete.

 

[carltwo]

I think your best bit is to look on bringatrailer.com which is a online auction. Sign up for free listings to see Mercedes r129 cars and you will automatically receive emails of new listings. A r129 comes up with a new listing almost once a day. Sometimes there are bargains, however prices are beginning to go higher. You will see the conditions of the cars and usually their honest sellers but they must lists the good and bad items pertaining to the car there selling.

 

[Hiscedes]

I think your best bit is to look on bringatrailer.com which is a online auction. Sign up for free listings to see Mercedes r129 cars and you will automatically receive emails of new listings. A r129 comes up with a new listing almost once a day. Sometimes there are bargains, however prices are beginning to go higher. You will see the conditions of the cars and usually their honest sellers but they must lists the good and bad items pertaining to the car there selling.

Good idea. I’ve found being a trailer to not be super cheap especially with the fees. Definitely a solid option but buying from one of you guys would give me some extra peace of mind since I know how y’all care for them.

 

[Hiscedes]

Also looking at BAT most of those cars are super low miles… we aren’t looking for a garage queen just a pleasant clean car to drive. Hopefully with a little over 100,000 miles.

 

[RESTO SL]

Use AutoTempest.com: All the cars. One search. and look for a 3rd gen ('99 - '02) 5.0 with something around130K miles. IMO the current market for these cars is $7K-$8.5K. You'll likely spend another $2K-$3K to sort it out - assuming you can turn wrenches. If the 3.2 is enough, I'd look at '96 - '02 (you'll enjoy having an ODB2 port). Those cars will be a better value. And the last piece of advise, don't let them get into a SL600.

Happy Hunting!

 

[Hiscedes]

Use AutoTempest.com: All the cars. One search. and look for a 3rd gen ('99 - '02) with something around130K miles. IMO the current market for these cars is $7K-$8.5K. You'll likely spend another $2K-$3K to sort it out - assuming you can turn wrenches. And the last piece of advise, don't let them get into a SL600.

Happy Hunting!

Why not an SL600?

 

[RESTO SL]

Why not an SL600?

I'm going to take a guess and assume your grandparents just want to enjoy the wonderful and unique driving experience of an R129. Keep it simple, and they will. There's nothing simple about about a 30yo German V12.

 

[sushipaste]

The SL600 has been fine for me. I'd advise on replacing the radiator preemptively with an aluminum one because the oe design is crap and its plastic. Been waiting a month now to get the job done on my car due to a leak and overseas "covid delays" with CSF.

Overall, a 1999 and later with sport either 500 or 600 would be a perfect car given it's in good condition.

Btw Socal is r129 heaven. If need be I could "broker" a purchase...

 

[RESTO SL]

The SL600 has been fine for me...

And to be fair, I've never owned a M120 car. I'm just saying, if I was looking to put my grandparents in a R129 - I'd push them into the M104 or even a M113.

I still want to get invited to Thanksgiving dinner!

 

[Aero I]

And to be fair, I've never owned a M120 car. I'm just saying, if I was looking to put my grandparents in a R129 - I'd push them into the M104 or even a M113.

I still want to get invited to Thanksgiving dinner!

A 129 with a M113 is potentially a better long term maintenance engine than the M104. I own cars with M104, M119 - 3ea, and M113 - 2ea. It's not even close, both my M113 129s have had to have virtually nothing done to them, pushing into the low 100K miles. Can't say that about the M104 or the M119s, don't get me wrong, they all run great, just some need higher maintenance than others. I wouldn't sell one to get the other, but if I were buying clean for the first time? M113 all the way
Just a thought...

 

[mikes129]

Would they appreciate having a V12 over a lesser model? If they just want the looks of the R129 then any 'lesser' model would be a fine choice. A V12 just adds extra complexity to an already complex car in which mechanical expertise for the most part is few and far between. Having a later model with the M113 helps as those engines are more common so knowledge and experience with regards to them is greater among mechanics I would think. I'll assume your grandparents won't be turning the spanners themselves so will rely mainly on Mercedes Specialists, or even just local garages for servicing and maintenance.

 

[Hiscedes]

And to be fair, I've never owned a M120 car. I'm just saying, if I was looking to put my grandparents in a R129 - I'd push them into the M104 or even a M113.

I still want to get invited to Thanksgiving dinner!

Would they appreciate having a V12 over a lesser model? If they just want the looks of the R129 then any 'lesser' model would be a fine choice. A V12 just adds extra complexity to an already complex car in which mechanical expertise for the most part is few and far between. Having a later model with the M113 helps as those engines are more common so knowledge and experience with regards to them is greater among mechanics I would think. I'll assume your grandparents won't be turning the spanners themselves so will rely mainly on Mercedes Specialists, or even just local garages for servicing and maintenance.

Yeah I think y’all are right, I have the M113 in my SL500 and it’s great. That would definitely be the preference but if a V12 came up that was perfect in every other way it would be a consideration. They really don’t need the extra power, he drove a 1999 S320 and thought it was plenty fast so a V8 in a lighter car (that still weighs as much as a base F150….Lol) it will be more than enough. I really appreciate all the responses!

 

[sushipaste]

I thought the m104 was the head gasket leaker?

 

[Aero I]

Yeah I think y’all are right, I have the M113 in my SL500 and it’s great. That would definitely be the preference but if a V12 came up that was perfect in every other way it would be a consideration. They really don’t need the extra power, he drove a 1999 S320 and thought it was plenty fast so a V8 in a lighter car (that still weighs as much as a base F150….Lol) it will be more than enough. I really appreciate all the responses!

Buy the V12 and keep it, give them your M113... LOL
As much as I am happy with the M113s, I've always wanted a V12 129, the grass is always greener right??..
Like my father used to always say, "Be careful what you ask for, you may get it".........lol

Yes the M104s can be head gasket eaters.. been there done that, the M119s needed bio junk wires replaced and the distributors tend to collect moisture more than I like.

Meanwhile the M113's just keep humming along, never a blip

 

[Hiscedes]

Buy the V12 and keep it, give them your M113... LOL
As much as I am happy with the M113s, I've always wanted a V12 129, the grass is always greener right??..
Like my father used to always say, "Be careful what you ask for, you may get it".........lol

Yes the M104s can be head gasket eaters.. been there done that, the M119s needed bio junk wires replaced and the distributors tend to collect moisture more than I like.

Meanwhile the M113's just keep humming along, never a blip

That’s good to hear about the 113! Maybe I’ll just put an exhaust on it and it’ll sound like it’s as powerful as the V12.

 

[Aero I]

That’s good to hear about the 113! Maybe I’ll just put an exhaust on it and it’ll sound like it’s as powerful as the V12.

Here ya go... lol

 

[Hiscedes]

Here ya go... lol

Im dying

that is absolutely brilliant… think about that With the aftermarket sound system on mine. Make it way faster for sure.

 

[wlb50]

I would look in the classifieds of the Mercedes-Benz club of America too.

You cannot be guaranteed it would have a better than average care but the odds are With you.
I learned something interesting today while picking up a part at my dealer

parts are starting to dry up for pre-face lift 129’s. I guess they use the mono valve for the heater and from 96 on they changed it.

well I love my M119 in the 96 I think the advice to find one with an M113 is sound with the following caveat: make sure it has both sets of keys.

I would go so far as to say that if it only had one said it would be a dealbreaker.

and maintenance records.

 

[rayhennig]

I thought the m104 was the head gasket leaker?

There's truth in that.

But I thought the V12 is a "double M104". No?

The early V12 was 2 M104.980s joined at the hip and with KE Jetronic and distributor ignition and EZL?

Or am I talking bollocks?

RayH

 

[bsclifton]

There's truth in that.

But I thought the V12 is a "double M104". No?

The early V12 was 2 M104.980s joined at the hip and with KE Jetronic and distributor ignition and EZL?

Or am I talking bollocks?

RayH

No - you're dead on 🙂 I think one of the banks is identical and uses M104 part numbers actually (right I think? the other bank is mirrored). In cars with the 38 pin STAR diagnostic, you have to pick which bank to inspect as they're treated separately (versus a v8 having all the info showing immediately)

The M113 is a great engine 🙂 I also really enjoy the M104, although I can see how it requires more maintenance. M104 has an iron block with aluminum heads and a magnesium (or something like this) timing cover. I think the different types of metal used don't jive well